Curtis W. Waters, Marine Life Trafficking, Florida 2023

In a shocking case of wildlife trafficking, Curtis W. Waters, 58, of Weeki Wachee, Florida, was sentenced to three months of home confinement and a three-year period of probation for his role in the illegal trade of marine life.

According to the allegations, Waters, a resident of Hernando County, Florida, and holder of a Saltwater Products License (SPL) issued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), had been involved in the sale and purchase of approximately 150 specimens of Ricordea florida, a corallimorph species native to the saltwater reefs of South Florida.

The case, which was part of Operation Rock Bottom, a long-term investigation into the illegal harvesting and sale of marine life resources from the Florida Keys, revealed that Waters had been in contact with an individual in Colorado, with whom he had prior business dealings, and had offered to sell the marine specimens at a price of $4.00 each.

Through surveillance and information provided by witnesses, the investigating agents determined that Waters had towed a boat from his residence to the Keys in order to conduct the harvest of Ricordea florida. The agents further established that on September 2, 2013, Waters had called the buyer, confirming the order of 150 ricordea would be sent via Fed-Ex the following day.

On September 4, a package from Waters was delivered via Fed-Ex to the Colorado address, which included an invoice for 150 ricordea at $4.00 each, for a total of $600.00, and a pre-completed bank deposit slip for Waters’s bank account for a deposit of $600.00. FWS Agents deposited $600.00 cash into the bank account associated with the deposit slip.

Waters’ illegal activities did not stop there. During the relevant period, he illegally sold approximately 2,600 of the ricordea to a number of out-of-state buyers.

In a statement, Wilfredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, who participated in the long-term investigation into the illegal harvesting and sale of marine life resources from the Florida Keys.

Waters was charged with engaging in conduct that involved the sale and purchase of wildlife with a market value in excess of $350.00, specifically, approximately 150 specimens of Ricordea florida, and did knowingly sell said wildlife in interstate commerce, knowing it was taken, possessed, transported, and sold in violation of and in a manner unlawful under the laws of the State of Florida, specifically, Florida Statute Section 379.361(2)(f), in violation of the Lacey Act, Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(a)(2)(A) and 3373(d)(1)(B), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

As a consequence of his federal conviction, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission revoked all of Waters’ remaining licenses, and prohibited his transfer of the valuable “Marine Life Dive” endorsement he had held during the period of the criminal conduct.

Waters’ case highlights the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem and the need for stricter regulations to prevent wildlife trafficking.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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